It is probable that foreigners in China have a juster appreciation of missionaries and their work than was once the case. Certainly at a time when anti-Christian propaganda is sweeping the country and may at any moment culminate in yet another of those tragedies Which disfigure China's history, one may give some thought to the men imperilled; and that it is impossible to do, without respect for the lives they lead, even if one does not share hey uphold.
One of the most remarkable men in China is Mr. D. E. Hoste, director general of the China Inland Mission, who leaves Shanghai on Monday on to his colleagues North America and England. Erect, broad-shouldered, but spare in figure, of clear-cut, regular features and expansive forehead, Mr. Hoste indeed suggests his age but in no single particular the Giminution of powers that that age may bring. His manner is dignified but unassuming, courteous yet me tangible; in all,'a commanding po sonality, apt to the responsibil ties of the great organization which controls single-handed. One feels, as he talks, that his thoughts are absolutely in order, his opinions the result of experience, insight and careful reflexion, And, in an age when too many people are given to slovenly speaking, it is a pleasure to listen to the beautiful, terse English in which he expresses himself. All of which personalities we hope hho will excuse.
The Gunners and Cricket Mr. Hoste was born in 1861 and went to school at Clifton, where he was a contemporary of Sir Henry Newbolt the poet, whom he remembers for his peculiarly large and luminous syes, and when Dr. Per-caval, afterwards Bishop of 'Hereford, wax headmaster. At 17, Mr, Hoste passed into Woolwich' and obtained a commission in the Artillery in 1880. There he remained for four years and then resigned to become a missionary. In 1886 he to China with the famous 'Cambridge Band," which included Studd, the cricket Blue, now: in Afrien; Stanley Smith, the Car bridge stroke, a man of great quence, still' working.
Shansis|f Montagu Beauchamp, now baronet and clergyman at home; Bishop W. Cassells of West China; Cecil Polhill, of Trinity and the Queen's Bays, now squire of the family estate in Bedfordshire but_alwi rear supporter of the C. I. M., and his younger brother Arthur, a great cricketer in his time at Trinity Hall, There was a digression to talk of chet of the past. Mr. Hoste disclaims having been a great performer, but his enthusiasm for the game is very human. In the days of the Studs and Steele, a batsman must not move. his right foot. So the bowler aimed at getting a particular length at which he could not he hit. "A medium pace, with break and Tength," said Mr. Hoste, "that Was the ideal then. "C. T." kept a beautiful length; But now of course' 'a batsman can jump about as he pleases and take the ball half-volley or long hop. But really"—as if recollecting himself—"we must not} alk cricket all the morning."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.